Air

Quality Lab
Paul Pansini
ENVL 4300

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Paul Pansini
Environmental Issues (ENVL 4300)
Indoor Air Quality
3/20/16

Abstract
Air pollutants are found all over world, and each and every one can be very
dangerous to humans and the ecosystem. These pollutants can cause diseases,
degradation of forests, and death in plant, animals, and humans. In this lab we were able
to use air quality sensors to measure many different common and uncommon pollutants
at several different locations all across the campus. The areas that interested me most
were Steves Car, the Campus Center Bus Stop, and the trees near Lake Fred. I also
discussed the high amount of pollutants found in the I-Wing gym as well some reasons
why there were so many, and also discussed why we so commonly saw carbon dioxide
readings no matter where we went. Some of the data found really interested me as I was
shocked to see some of the pollutants in certain locations, but overall I believe our
campus has good air quality, both indoor and outdoor and this statement is supported
greatly by the data we collected.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

Introduction

Objective

Results

6-8

Discussion

8-10

Conclusion

10

Work Cited

11

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Introduction
While sitting inside, most people would not think twice about the indoor air
quality of the air they are breathing. There are no cars, industrial factories, and other
obvious pollution causing objects located inside. But whether it be in a classroom, a gym,
or even your bedroom, air pollutants will always find a way to get into the air and
contaminate what you breathe in. The six criteria air pollutants include Carbon Monoxide
(CO), Ozone (O3), Particulate Matter (PM), Lead (Pb), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx).
Carbon Monoxide can come from many different sources including wood burning
stoves, generators, fireplaces, and furnaces. It becomes most problematic when indoor
areas are not adequately ventilated, and when breathed in, in high concentrations, it can
lead to death due to lack of oxygen inhalation (Rodriguez, n.d.a). Cars are the number
one contributor of carbon monoxide and are responsible for about 60% of all CO
emissions (EPA, 2016). Next, ozone, which is a very harmful pollutant at ground level, is
formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, and other sources chemically react
with the sun (EPA, 2016). When exposed to even low levels of ozone, health effects like
chest pain, throat irritation, coughing, and congestion are very common, and it can also
worsen conditions like asthma and bronchitis (EPA, 2016). Ozone is also a very harmful
pollutant to vegetation like trees, as they struggle to grow when too much ozone is
present.
A less known air pollutant is particulate matter, which come primarily from the
combustion of fossil fuels. The smaller the particulate matter, the more dangerous it is as
it becomes much easier to get into your lungs. When breathing in particulate matter of all

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sizes, respiratory diseases, reduction of lung endurance, and even heart attacks can be
expected. Particulate matter that is carried over different distances, can land into streams
changing their acidity, affect nutrient supply in soils, as well as affect the biodiversity in
ecosystems (EPA, 2016). The next air pollutant is lead, which can be extremely
dangerous as it often leads to things like kidney failures, immune system degradation,
and even mental retardation in small children (EPA, 2016). Lead commonly enters the air
through fuels, old paints, and metal processing plants. Other then the human health risks,
lead can also be held responsible for decreasing the growth rate of both plants and
animals, neurological issues in vertebrates, and also contaminating waterways used by
both animals and humans.
The next criteria air pollutant is sulfur dioxide, a pollutant that comes mostly from
emissions released into the air. In humans, sulfur dioxide causes bronchoconstriction and
increased asthma symptoms (EPA, 2016). It also can chemically react with other
compounds in the air making it very dangerous to humans as it can attack both the lungs
and heart and can lead to hospitalization and even death. Lastly, are nitrogen oxides,
which most commonly come from agriculture, transportation, and industrial activities
(EPA, 2016). When exposed, nitrogen oxides affects lung function and degrades lung
tissue eventually leading to emphysema. In the environment, it can lead to an increase of
acid rain, and is also a large contributor to climate change. Overall, these six criteria
pollutants can be deadly to both humans, and the surrounding natural environment. The
most common source of these pollutants is emissions from cars, factories, and power
plants. Until we change our ways, these pollutants will always be in our air.

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Objective
The objective of this lab was measure the air quality of several different locations
across campus. These locations included AS209, B008, Campus Center Cafeteria,
Campus Center Bus Stop, C-Wing Atrium, Lake Fred Trees, the Parking Lot, Steves
Car, and the I-Wing Gym. We used 2 different measurement tools, the Greywolf indoor
air quality sensors and the advanced sensors, to measure sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide,
nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, ozone, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide,
temperature, and relative humidity. By doing this experiment, we were able to see what
the air quality was in these places we spend time in, and also figure out what caused the
pollutants to be there.

Results
For my results I chose to compare data from 3 different locations as I saw these
having the highest trends throughout the experiment. Figure 1 shows data from Steves
Car, measuring carbon monoxide. Figure 2, shows the Campus Center Bus Stop,
measuring nitrogen dioxide. Lastly, Figure 3 shows the Lake Fred Trees, measuring
carbon monoxide once again.

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Figure 1:

Carbon Monoxide, Steve's Car

2
AdvS
Wolfpack
1

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

Figure 2:

Nitrogen Dioxide, Campus Center Bus Stop

2
Wolfpack
AdvS

-0.20

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

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Figure 3:

Carbon Monoxide, Lake Fred

Wolfpack
AdvS

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

Discussion:
As you can see from the data above, harmful air pollutants were found at Steves
Car, The Campus Center Bus Stop, and under the Lake Fred Trees. The reason I chose to
use these locations, and these pollutants for each location, is because I realized that these
were the most abundant. Arguable, I could have done Carbon Monoxide for all three
areas, but chose to use Nitrogen Dioxide at the bus stop, as this was one place where both
sensors picked it up. Starting with Steves Car, it can be seen in Figure 1 that both
sensors found carbon monoxide in ample amounts. As we know, carbon monoxide is
released into the air through vehicle emissions, but levels this high inside his car is very
surprising. What we do know, is that his car has a hole in the floor, as well as a crack in
the manifold, which is why more carbon monoxide is seen in his car then normal. This
was also one of closest measurements between both systems as my other 2 locations had
much more fluctuation at my other locations.

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My next location is the Campus Center Bus Stop, which was a very interesting
location to me, as it was one of the only spots where both sensors picked up nitrogen
dioxide. Like carbon monoxide, a common source of nitrogen dioxide is through the
combustion of fuel. Not only is this area a bus stop, where emissions form the buses are
constantly being released from the air, but it also right near one of the main parking lots,
where cars add to the emission levels being released. What can also be seen by looking at
Figure 2, is the how much more nitrogen dioxide was measured by the Wolfpack, then
the advanced sensor. This was also interesting to me, as I would expect both sensors to
pick up on the high levels in this area.
My third site that I chose to look into was under the trees near Lake Fred. The
reason I chose this area is because I was very shocked to see any readings of carbon
monoxide near the Lake. When looking at Figure 3 one can see that both sensors came
up with readings of carbon monoxide even though we were near the lake, and at a
moderately good distance from the road and cars. Showing readings of carbon monoxide
at this site gave me great insight on how these pollutants can travel through the air and
pollute areas that are at a distance form the source.
One pollutant that always had a reading no matter where we were at was carbon
dioxide. I didnt make a plot for it because one of the main reasons why we were able to
find it everywhere we went was because of the class exhaling around the sensors. This
seemed to have a strong effect on the readings and caused both sensors to pick up carbon
dioxide at every site went to. Another site I wanted to quickly discuss was the I-Wing
gym, where I spend a lot of time. Unfortunately I wasnt surprised that we found so many
pollutants down there. I would say the main cause of that is due the poor ventilation

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down there. What is also interesting to think about is how much more of these pollutants
are getting into your lungs when youre down there, due to heavier breathing while
working out. This was perhaps the most interesting site we visited in my eyes.

Conclusion
In conclusion, after conducting this experiment, I can say that except the I-Wing
gym, the air quality on our campus is pretty good. The spots that I found to have the
biggest trends are all sport where you would expect higher pollutants to be. Near a
parking lot, in a car that has some serious issues, and at a bus station are all areas where
you will commonly find air pollutants. Unfortunately, these pollutants will continue to be
in our air until we can change our way of life. Cars, trucks, industrial facilities, and other
harmful sources are all major contributors to these air pollutants and until we can limit
those, we will always see sir quality problems. Overall, I am happy with the readings
throughout our campus and I hope to see a decrease as we continue to grow and become
greener in the future.

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Work Cited

How to Detect Carbon Monoxide in Your Home. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20,
2016, from http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-home/indoor-airquality/carbon-monoxide-basics.aspx

EPA. Carbon Monoxide (CO). (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2016, from
https://www3.epa.gov/airtrends/aqtrnd95/co.html

EPA. (n.d.). Frequent Questions. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from

https://www3.epa.gov/ozonedesignations/faq.htm

EPA. (n.d.). Health. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from

https://www3.epa.gov/pm/health.html

EPA. (n.d.). Health. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from

https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/lead/health.html

EPA. (n.d.). Health. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from

https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxide/health.html

Nitrogen Oxides. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2016, from

http://www.hcdoes.org/airquality/monitoring/NOx.htm